Playing Now: Crusader Kings 2. Byzantine Empire (900)

Okay, "Playing Now" what is that?

It's some in-depth view on game I'm currently playing. Different games will have different focus points and different elements to it. When it comes to CK2 I'll do the semi-narrative rundown of game as it goes, keeping track of events in game on different dates. Mind you, I'm not the best at this sort of game, it's too egghead for me. I saw some people being really amazing and building empires that swallowed Europe in like 100 years. I'm not that guy, I just play for casual fun.

Anyway, Byzantine Empire.
Idea is, to change history and restore the old Roman Empire to the west. Can Byzantine, ruled by Orthodox Christian mend the Great Schism? Can the fates of time be turned, and Byzantine not fall prey to Seljuks and then Ottomans?
We'll see... first: rundown of year 900 (30 years after the game starts)

(better resolution? Here!)

Europe lives with the turmoil caused by divide in Karling bloodline. Two decades ago, after death of Lotharinian king Lothaire II, governship over his domain was taken over by his brother, Louis, king of Italy. United Italian-Lotharinian kingdom was a greatest country on the continent at the moment. Stretching from south of Italy to Northen Sea.

In 894 king Louis died, Italy and Lotharingia were taken over by his two sons, that instantly begun fighting over lands united by their father. War benefited however another member of Karling dynasty, king Karlmann of East France, that attacked Lotharingia, claiming most of it's German provinces.

Meanwhile Byzantium, after 20 years of relative peace and expansion of borders under Emperor Basileus was left in hands of his oldest son - Leon the 6th. Much less skilful politician, than his father, Leon's rise to the throne is met by strong opposition - not only due bad reputation of young ruler, but also the fact he is a Catholic.

In eastern Europe two dynasties clam hegemony over Slavic people - Norse families of Rurikid(ruling Gardariki) and Oskydlr(Konugardr) - ruling respectively northern and southern parts of eastern Europe. Only kingdom where Slavs rules themselves is a young kingdom of Poland, united by king Piast.

A conflict between Christianity and Islam slowly hits up. Christians claimed victory over Mediterranean isles but in recent years fall of Tbilisi to Muslims, pushed kingdom of Georgia to the brink of destruction. Now, as the war between Asturas and Umayyad Sultanate starts on Iberian Peninsula, the conflict between Cross and Crescent Moon is sure to enter new, zealous phase.